Jesus and beelzebul

Jesus was driving out a demon that was mute, and when the demon had gone out, the mute person spoke and the crowds were amazed. Some of them said, “By the power of Beelzebul, the prince of demons, he drives out demons.” Others, to test him, asked him for a sign from heaven. But he knew their thoughts and said to them, “Every kingdom divided against itself will be laid waste and house will fall against house. And if Satan is divided against himself, how will his kingdom stand? For you say that it is by Beelzebul that I drive out demons. If I, then, drive out demons by Beelzebul, by whom do your own people drive them out? Therefore they will be your judges. But if it is by the finger of God that I drive out demons, then the Kingdom of God has come upon you. When a strong man fully armed guards his palace, his possessions are safe. But when one stronger than he attacks and overcomes him, he takes away the armor on which he relied and distributes the spoils. Whoever is not with me is against me, and whoever does not gather with me scatters.”

Reflection

Every kingdom divided against itself. Nothing is closer to the truth than Jesus’ reply to those who accuse him of driving out demons by Beelzebul, the prince of demons: “Every kingdom divided against itself will be laid waste… if Satan is divided against himself, how will his kingdom stand?”

History shows how factions, infighting, and internal divisions have contributed to the fall of the greatest empires. And this is happening in our world today, even in our own country. We cannot continue being divided and hope that our country would move forward at the same time.

On one hand, divisions and factions are inevitable because of basic differences not just in opinions but also in fundamental convictions that cannot be compromised. On the other hand, if we are to promote the greater good, especially of the disadvantaged, we have to focus on what unites us (our common goals) rather than what divides us (our differences).

Divisions can bring us to ruin. Are we willing to let the common good propel us into working together to promote nation building?